You can instantaneously recognize a Black Cat bike from a distance because of its amazing paint job, but it’s up close where you see the real magic. Mtbr sat down with Todd Ingermanson to pick the brain behind this marriage of form and function.

You pass that fire road every day, wishing you had a cyclocross bike on which to ride it. But you don’t need a new rig to get off the beaten path–the one you’ve got will do just fine along with a little practice and our handy tips on navigating the dirt on skinny tires.

You like mind bending climbs. You like thrilling descents. You like to ride on pavement and you like to ride on dirt. If you answered yes, yes, and yes please, then Santa Cruz, CA should be at the top of your cycling vacation list.